adminPaul Mundandi in Zvishavane
FC Platinum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1)
Chicken Inn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1
FC Platinum blew a chance to maintain their five-point lead at the top when they were held by defending champions Chicken Inn at Mandava yesterday. Pure Platinum Play should blame themselves for allowing Chicken Inn to have a share of the spoils in a match they seemingly were in control. Platinum got their all-important goal from Walter Musona in the
34th minute while Chicken Inn got their equalizer in the 88th minute from the boot of young Nicholas Muchadeyi.
The miners are now three points ahead of Caps United who beat Mutare City 4-1 at the National Sports Stadium. Dependable goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze made a costly blunder when he received a back pass. He dribbled past Musona and when he tried to clear the ball only for his clearance to be intercepted by alert Nqobizitha Masuku.
Masuku then passed the ball back to Musona who slotted it into the nets. Platinum made a number of attacks but found the Chicken Inn defence unyielding. Platinum’s world, however, crumbled in the second half; as two from time, complacency seemed to creep in and the miners allowed the Gamecocks to come back into the game.
Moses Demera got the pass from Clemence Matawu, who fed super substitute Muchadeyi, in the box, and his shot gave Platinum’s goalie Petros Mhari no chance.
A minute later Thabani Goredema could have made double Chicken Inn’s tally, when he found himself with acres of space outside the box but his shot missed the target.
“I’m very disappointed,” said FC Platinum’s coach Norman Mapeza. “I am, however, happy with the point, and the guys worked so hard,” he said. His counterpart Rahman Gumbo was in cloud nine.
“They were lucky to escape with a point,” said Gumbo. “They never threatened us and were just fortunate that my goalkeeper made a silly mistake and gifted them with a goal
“I am happy that I am doing my job well at Chicken Inn and my youngsters are so impressive. “Last week another youngster played a blinder and all I can say now is that I am building a team,” he said.
Teams
FC Platinum:P Mhari,I Nekati,G Bello,E Moyo,K Moyo,W Mhango,R Chinyengetere,N Masuku,C Sibanda,T Rukanda(M Mudehwe76th ),W Musona
Chicken Inn:Chipezeze,P Benard,D Lunga,G Goddard,D Nyandoro(N Muchadeyi 46th ),P Tafirenyika( C Nkomo 46th),T Goredema,M Jackson,C Matawu,L Mhlanga,T Kutinyu
Online Reporter